[not-an-expert]

Here are the Game 6 stats I'm frustrated with... Lakers 27 free throws in the 4th, 18 of last 20 points from the line. I understand that in the waning seconds Sac was playing foul catch-up but the numbers are still huge.

As the moniker suggests, I'm no expert, but here's my take. The Lakers style of play is purposely based on manipulation of the referees.

Examples...

1) Overall defense. Watch Kobe, Fisher and Fox. They play NY Knicks defense. They foul so often as part of their regular defense that officials can't possibly call every one.

2) Shaq's offense. His offensive fouls are so numerous that officials can't possible call every one without removing Shaq from the game. In fact, he often gets the call on his own steamroll (see Mutumbo). This forces players to foul him hard. Then we hear... poor Shaq, everyone's beating on him. What other choice?

3) Most important... end of game offense. Why were 18 of the Lakers last 20 points scored from the line? Because the offense is specifically tailored (a la MJ) to draw calls at the end of the game. Need evidence? Watch Kobe's post moves... or lack thereof. He always pulls them out at the end of the game and they're solely intended to get him to the line.

I'm not saying officiating is bad or biased. Nor am I saying that officials should try to artificially balance calls over the game. I'm saying that NBA officials are making the best of an impossible situation by using a set of unspoken/unwritten gameplay guidelines. The problem... Phil Jackson KNOWS what those guidelines are and he's manipulating the referees with those guidelines in mind. And, worst of all, it's bad for basketball... anyone who watched the Dallas/Sac series knows how much fun NBA hoops can still be.

The NBA changed the rules to limit the pick/grab & roll and to limit the iso offense. Now they should change the rules to limit manipulation of officials.

I don't know how, I'm no expert.